Waitlist Support Group

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Xenoblade said:
Great song
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I love this post for many reasons:
1) It's a fantastic song.
2) It's SOOOO true. 🙂
3) I DID go back to college to do my pre-reqs (I'm 31 😀) and I DID step in the quad, and think, "Oh my god! I'm so much older than these kids!" (Sigh...My lab partner never got my excellent references to Fight Club...)
4) Because after 5 IIs and 5 WLs, I have been distracting myself by escaping into a musical theatre wonderland. I basically sing showtunes all day (out loud or in my head depending on the scenario) and I forget about waitlists....

So thanks for this! 🙂
 
lalalapartay012 said:
I think the date is probably set to be around May 15th because of second look weekends.
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If this is true: a waste of time based on a waste of time and money.
 
4 waitlists, 1 post-interview hold, 0 MD acceptances. I'm glad I treated this year as if I was planning on re-applying from the get-go at least.
 
gyngyn said:
If this is true: a waste of time based on a waste of time and money.
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It's all about getting my money's worth in free lunches and dinners for the secondary fees I paid 😛
 
gyngyn said:
If this is true: a waste of time based on a waste of time and money.
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I agree, haha. But why is it that schools don't accept more students during this interim period instead of holding back until post-mid May to issue waves of acceptances?
 
smurfsnowman123 said:
I agree, haha. But why is it that schools don't accept more students during this interim period instead of holding back until post-mid May to issue waves of acceptances?
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Because we don't know how many people will be stolen from us! We can't end up with more than there are seats for.
 
gyngyn said:
Because we don't know how many people will be stolen from us! We can't end up with more than there are seats for.
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Ooh I meant more along the lines of if the class size has already fallen under the number of seats the medical school would like to fill. But perhaps this hasn't happened yet because it's not close enough to May 15?
 
smurfsnowman123 said:
Ooh I meant more along the lines of if the class size has already fallen under the number of seats the medical school would like to fill. But perhaps this hasn't happened yet because it's not close enough to May 15?
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That's right. Since the deadline for the students to decide is May 15th, we usually don't know until after then how many seats there. It can be estimated, but it's not clear until other schools start accepting our accepted students. This cannot start happening until the people holding multiple accepts decide. I still have one woman holding dozens of spots.
 
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gyngyn said:
That's right. Since the deadline for the students to decide is May 15th, we usually don't know until after then how many seats there. It can be estimated, but it's not clear until other schools start accepting our accepted students. This cannot start happening until the people holding multiple accepts decide. I still have one woman holding dozens of spots.
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😵
 
gyngyn said:
That's right. Since the deadline for the students to decide is May 15th, we usually don't know until after then how many seats there. It can be estimated, but it's not clear until other schools start accepting our accepted students. This cannot start happening until the people holding multiple accepts decide. I still have one woman holding dozens of spots.
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Sorry, but this is unacceptable. The same goes for those applicants who absolutely have known where they will attend, but are waiting until May 15th basically because they can (maybe for an ego boost?). Someone please explain the compassion behind that. Myriad applicants sit on waitlists with ZERO acceptances, and yet those with 12 acceptances just sit back and relax. It's infuritating.
 
Wait listed at 2 schools. Cannot wait till May 15th..
 
I'm on two wait lists with one acceptance. I've been sitting on this acceptance since early October, meaning I've had a stress free year. Even better, I don't have to choose where to attend! The other 14 schools I applied to have decided for me. I've signed a lease and am assuming I won't get in to either of the wait list schools. I highly recommend this approach for others with an acceptance, even if the wait list schools are "dream" schools. Embrace the acceptance instead of worrying about getting more.
 
I've been lucky to get any interviews at all with my stats, but I have no realistic chance of getting off any of the 3WLs I'm sitting on. I always feel like I was interviewed by accident haha... Anyone else just waiting for closure?
 
nyc1990 said:
Sorry, but this is unacceptable. The same goes for those applicants who absolutely have known where they will attend, but are waiting until May 15th basically because they can (maybe for an ego boost?). Someone please explain the compassion behind that. Myriad applicants sit on waitlists with ZERO acceptances, and yet those with 12 acceptances just sit back and relax. It's infuritating.
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This type of behavior does not go unnoticed.
 
Gene Parmesan said:
I'm on two wait lists with one acceptance. I've been sitting on this acceptance since early October, meaning I've had a stress free year. Even better, I don't have to choose where to attend! The other 14 schools I applied to have decided for me. I've signed a lease and am assuming I won't get in to either of the wait list schools. I highly recommend this approach for others with an acceptance, even if the wait list schools are "dream" schools. Embrace the acceptance instead of worrying about getting more.
Click to expand...

This is what kills me. The thought of getting off a waitlist will prevent me from signing a lease until school starts even though I know finding an apartment and moving at the beginning of August while I'm starting school is going to be miserable. My current acceptance is in the South so make that doubly miserable! 😛
 
gorun said:
I love this post for many reasons:
1) It's a fantastic song.
2) It's SOOOO true. 🙂
3) I DID go back to college to do my pre-reqs (I'm 31 😀) and I DID step in the quad, and think, "Oh my god! I'm so much older than these kids!" (Sigh...My lab partner never got my excellent references to Fight Club...)
4) Because after 5 IIs and 5 WLs, I have been distracting myself by escaping into a musical theatre wonderland. I basically sing showtunes all day (out loud or in my head depending on the scenario) and I forget about waitlists....

So thanks for this! 🙂
Click to expand...

Glad you liked the song. And it is so true. I cannot listen to the song anymore because it is a little to real for me.

Here is another song:

Replace "BA in English" with "BS in Biology"
 
Hi all,

What do you guys think about the dogged persistence strategy? That is, writing multiple letters of update, intent, interest to the schools you are on the wait list of. I have heard of people writing new letters every week and in some cases this can be an effective way of convincing the school that you really want to go there. I see a pro and a con with this approach.

Pro: By sending many additional letters of intent, or updates, or why you want to attend, you set yourself apart from most ppl on the wait list who only send the requisite single letter. As such you may be more likely to get an acceptance.

Con: You may seem too desperate which could cause the school to question your value as a candidate- "this guy seems desperate, he must have no other shot but us, if they don't want him, maybe we should steer clear"

can anybody here weigh in on this?
 
Xenoblade said:
Glad you liked the song. And it is so true. I cannot listen to the song anymore because it is a little to real for me.

Here is another song:

Replace "BA in English" with "BS in Biology"
Click to expand...


LOL I've seen these guys live and they are hilarious 🙂 Very fitting song for this thread!
 
cctebo18 said:
Hi all,

What do you guys think about the dogged persistence strategy? That is, writing multiple letters of update, intent, interest to the schools you are on the wait list of. I have heard of people writing new letters every week and in some cases this can be an effective way of convincing the school that you really want to go there. I see a pro and a con with this approach.

Pro: By sending many additional letters of intent, or updates, or why you want to attend, you set yourself apart from most ppl on the wait list who only send the requisite single letter. As such you may be more likely to get an acceptance.

Con: You may seem too desperate which could cause the school to question your value as a candidate- "this guy seems desperate, he must have no other shot but us, if they don't want him, maybe we should steer clear"

can anybody here weigh in on this?
Click to expand...

See above....
 
cctebo18 said:
Hi all,

What do you guys think about the dogged persistence strategy? That is, writing multiple letters of update, intent, interest to the schools you are on the wait list of. I have heard of people writing new letters every week and in some cases this can be an effective way of convincing the school that you really want to go there. I see a pro and a con with this approach.

Pro: By sending many additional letters of intent, or updates, or why you want to attend, you set yourself apart from most ppl on the wait list who only send the requisite single letter. As such you may be more likely to get an acceptance.

Con: You may seem too desperate which could cause the school to question your value as a candidate- "this guy seems desperate, he must have no other shot but us, if they don't want him, maybe we should steer clear"

can anybody here weigh in on this?
Click to expand...

Are you accepted anywhere? If so, then multiple LoI or updates are excessive and will almost certainly be viewed negatively. I don't see how hounding admissions makes you "stand apart". Admissions is well aware that a lot of people on their waitlist wants to go there (especially since they can see who's accepted somewhere and who isn't). Now, if you hold an acceptance to a comparable school, a LoI and/or update is a great idea to let them know "hey, even though I am in a similar medschool, I would love to go here" and updates may help.

However, if you're not accepted anywhere, then don't send a LoI because as @gyngyn has said before, they know you will come here because you have no where else to go. If the school welcomes updates then update them with meaningful stuff (maybe a publication, or good spring semester grades, something substantial).
 
@ darklabel, do you think that initiating attendance of grand rounds is a reasonable update or not strong enough?
 
Gene Parmesan said:
I'm on two wait lists with one acceptance. I've been sitting on this acceptance since early October, meaning I've had a stress free year. Even better, I don't have to choose where to attend! The other 14 schools I applied to have decided for me. I've signed a lease and am assuming I won't get in to either of the wait list schools. I highly recommend this approach for others with an acceptance, even if the wait list schools are "dream" schools. Embrace the acceptance instead of worrying about getting more.
Click to expand...

I haven't started looking for housing yet because of this. While I may not come off the waitlist for those schools, I still can't keep that little thought in my head that says maybe you'll get in. Ugh this stuff is so frustrating. I guess it's even more so for those who were accepted to places super far but are waitlisted in their closer state programs. Only 2 more weeks
 
Fabio Lanzoni said:
How do admissions people know this?
Click to expand...
We can see where accepted students are holding after traffic day (in March this year). One full page is devoted to this candidate alone on my list.
 
Hi all - I foolishly applied late, yet was fortunate enough to interview at ten places, and got waitlisted at all of them....what is the best course of action right now? I don't really have a huge update to talk about in letters, but I definitely want to show interest to schools that will consider me!
 
Pogobuns said:
Hi all - I foolishly applied late, yet was fortunate enough to interview at ten places, and got waitlisted at all of them....what is the best course of action right now? I don't really have a huge update to talk about in letters, but I definitely want to show interest to schools that will consider me!
Click to expand...

There's not much else to do besides wait. It's hard, it sucks, but I would say just wait and hope for the best. 10 is a lot though so hopefully your chances of getting off one is high.
 
SilentSoldier said:
I haven't started looking for housing yet because of this. While I may not come off the waitlist for those schools, I still can't keep that little thought in my head that says maybe you'll get in. Ugh this stuff is so frustrating. I guess it's even more so for those who were accepted to places super far but are waitlisted in their closer state programs. Only 2 more weeks
Click to expand...

I've looked at housing for the school I am accepted at, but I really feel held back on looking for a roommate! I don't want to mess up someone else's plans too. I hope that when I eventually get to whatever school I am going to end up at I will still have a shot at finding a roommate. Living alone is expensive : /
 
@cybermaxx12 @SilentSoldier I'm probably in a different (and fortunate) situation because I signed a lease with a very close friend who also has only one acceptance, plus we're in state. It gave us peace of mind though. We're in a great location literally across the street from the school. If I was to miraculously get off the waitlist at my dream school, I'm certain I could find someone to take over the lease. (although I'd feel terrible ditching my friend. Don't want that to happen. Thankfully I know I have about a 1% chance of getting in) You should probably start looking for housing and line up some options.
 
gyngyn said:
This type of behavior does not go unnoticed.
Click to expand...

This is a crazy question I know, but can or does admissions do anything about it? Does this make them less likely to award scholarships or something?

I am sitting on two waitlists and have no acceptances, I like many of the others do not consider it particularly fair that someone can sit on a dozen acceptances.

If I had a situation like that, after say the third acceptance, I would start comparing any new acceptance to my others so I would never hold more than two or three at a time.
 
familyaerospace said:
This is a crazy question I know, but can or does admissions do anything about it? Does this make them less likely to award scholarships or something?

I am sitting on two waitlists and have no acceptances, I like many of the others do not consider it particularly fair that someone can sit on a dozen acceptances.

If I had a situation like that, after say the third acceptance, I would start comparing any new acceptance to my others so I would never hold more than two or three at a time.
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At my school, all aspects of the applicant's personal behavior is considered before recruitment scholarships are awarded.

There is no rule that requires the candidate to reduce their list before May 15th.

The behavior you describe is what I expect out of candidates fortunate enough to have multiple acceptances whose financial aid packages have been communicated. It's only decent.
 
gyngyn said:
At my school, all aspects of the applicant's personal behavior is considered before recruitment scholarships are awarded.
Click to expand...

WHAT! Crap maybe I shouldn't have withdrawn from two schools today... 😕
 
Do MD schools see that you have been accepted by DO schools or just other MD schools? @gyngyn
 
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